August 6, 2008

Taking it easy..

illness... ! *sob* *sniffles*
From allergies to sore throats and fevers... I don't know what is it with Malaysian weather and this Malaysian girl. I feel like a penguin in the tropics. Haha.
Naturally... enthusiasm for work has gradually deteriorated too.
I keep telling myself it's mind over matter... but what happens when your entire system decides to break down on you. When lifting a finger and pressing buttons on the microwave felt like you were lifting bags of sand with your wrist and typing on the keyboard was the only way you felt comfortable communicating others. You can't do much can you? You can tell your mind that you're feeling better, and that you should get to work... but your body just lays there begging for a minute of rest.
What does Su do to make herself feel better?
You guessed right... she bakes.. she bakes cakes.
Today she used the last bursts of energy to pull out 3 different chocolate cakes from the oven.
I'm testing recipes for my business venture you see....
I took 2 hours to do what I usually take 30 minutes. *sigh* shame on me. *$#@*( Darn germs... why don't you bully someone your own size!! hehe.
I've been confining myself to a drawing space to come up with as many designs I can. Unfortunately the viruses have been clogging my creative juices. I turn to other things to inspire me.
Like Jeanne Ray; a brilliant author. I have received numerous comments and emails from a number of very sweet blog readers, requesting for me to read it. They thought of me as they read what she had to say.
I couldn't resist satisfying my curiosity!
I've not finished the entire book yet... and I can't wait to tell EVERYone about it!!
I must have read this quote a million times; I almost have it memorized.

" ....when i finally closed my eyes and tried, what I wanted came to me with complete clarity. The place that I went, the place that I still go, was the warm, hollowed-out center of a Bundt cake. It is usually gingerbread, though sometimes that changes. Sometimes it's gingerbread crowned in a ring of poached pears. The walls that surround me are high and soft, but as they go up they curve back, open up to the light, so I feel protected by the cake but never trapped by it. There are a few loose crumbs around my feet, clnging to my hair, and the smell! The ginger and butter the lingering subtlety of vanilla... I press my cheek against the cake, which is soft as eiderdown and still warm.
.......Cakes have gotten a bad rap. People equate virtue with turning down dessert.
There is always one person at the table who holds up her hand when i serve cake.
No, really, I couldnt, she says and then gives her flat stomach a conspiratorial little pat. Everyone who is pressing a fork into that first tender layer looks at the person who declined the plate, and they all think, That person is better than I am. That person is discipline. but that isn't a person with discipline, that is a person who has completely lost touch with joy. A slice of cake never made anybody fat. You dont eat the whole cake. You dont eat a cake everyday of your life. You take the cake when it is offered because the cake is delicious. You have a slice of cake and what it reminds you of is someplace thats safe,uncomplicated, without stress. A cake is a party, a birthday, a wedding. A cake is what's served on the happiest days of your life. "... Jeanne Ray

The words in her book are uplifting and inspiring... it really is one book I have honestly enjoyed. She writes in a casual form which is lots of fun to read; deeply touching...meaningful but never overwhelming. Her humor is intelligently worded and heartwarming. It isn't a recipe book; nor a book about gluttony; It's a book about life and the beauty of having cake in it!
I LOVE it! I couldn't stop nodding and smiling as I felt her speak the words my heart sung~
Have I told you the name of the book?
yes... eat cake. Read it! Devour it!
I'll be finishing it on my last sick days lying in bed during the weekend. I should really stop worrying about work so much... I need to sit back and finally enjoy the ending of this amazing novel.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I'm sold. I can't wait to read the book and your blog which I just discovered too!

Anonymous said...

My way of feeling better when I'm sick is having a hot tea with a spoonful of honey in it, or/and taking a warm bath with lots of bubbles or a bath bomb in it, reading a book or a magazine. After that, I'm feeling a little better and often go to bed right after; that's usually what you need the most when you,re sick: rest and sleep.
Hope you'll get well soon!

Anonymous said...

You finally read it! See, isn't it true? Doesn't she reminds you of...you? =) It's one of my absolute favourite book of all time. I re-read it almost every week! Though I'm not a fan of any of the cakes though. I'm not sure which version you got, but mine have got cake recipes at the end. They were all sweet cakes and I'm not into the sweet taste that much. If yours have got a recipe in it, care to try and blog about it? Just an idea! =)

Get well soon.

myCoffee said...

Hi, may I know where did you manage to get the book from? I have been searching for this book too but apparently it is sold out nationwide at MPH and Borders. :(

ashieBee said...

get well soon dear :)) and goodluck with your business thingy. i'll make sure to come and visit you whenever im in msia . hehehe.

Anonymous said...

yeah..when i went back to KL for summer holiday i felt sick within 2 weeks of my return.. it wasn't much about the weather, but the pollution..you see.. construction, construction and construction.. the air is just so polluted.. since you are used to cleaner and fresher air.. your immune system can't cope with it..and there goes, you fell sick. no worries, i bet you will get well soon and do tons of creative decorations for ya business! take care and get well soon~

regards,
sin ee

Quinn said...

I've read this one too. Hey, that's my favourite paragraph too. The way she describes cake, couldn't get an better. I totally agree and it makes me drool

Anonymous said...

I would like a book called Eat Pie. I think pie is delicious and I may even have a Wedding Pie when I get married. Okay, probably not.

valkuan said...

Hey Sue, go easy on yourself. Adjusting back to tropical weather is not easy also the body needs to build its immunity as well. Isn't "East Cake" fun? haha. I started my baking mojo after I read her book. But my cheapo-ness just refuse to invest in a good mixer (be it handheld or standup)! Oh well, that is just me. Get Well Soon, my dear!

Anonymous said...

Hi Discovered your Blog recently,read your past write-ups from Australia too. My,what a welcome back! The weather has been HOT, and pollution comes along with it too. Do take care, the humidity can wear one down, I know that very well. Hope you will consider having cupcake Decoration classes. I am a Grandma from Ipoh, and would love to decorate like you did for the lucky B'day Boy. Takeit easy for a while, Mrs Singh from Ipoh.

SIG said...

I thin you are allergic to home soil. Lol! ;) Hope you are better.

White Toast with Butter said...

Feel better! Eat Cake is a great book - I love Jeanne Ray - her daughter is writer Ann Pachett (Bel Canto). Good writing runs in the family!

Anonymous said...

oh nooess! Get lots of rest and better Su! Remember to keep drinking fluids, I usually drink lots of lemon and honey water, and take hot hot showers.

Su-Yin -Décorateur said...

You know what guys... im still working on finishing that book! haha im very eager to finally get to the finish this weekend! I've been so busy with work and the lot. ahhh... :( I wish there were more hours in a day.
I've been feeling much better recently but still sniffling every so often. THanks for all the get well wishes; i love you all!!
Gloria: thanks for the book recommendation :)

mycoffee: Hi darling; i got it off barnes and nobles online :). They shipped it to me in 3 days.

ashie: please do dear :)

capn jack: haha pie... I can imagine a drunk groomsman slamming it in a bridesmaids face! :P

mrs singh: thanks :) hope to hear from you soon.

sig: ahhh.. didnt expect it at all! I'M bored here! Im all MALAYSIAN! hehe :P

andrews mom: Hmm... ann pachett; must look out for her.